IATA has recalled the designator code for Kazakh carrier Bek Air, three weeks after a fatal take-off accident led to an enforced suspension of the carrier’s operations. Bek Air has filed an appeal against the suspension, claiming that the decision is illegal. The airline had been operating under the ‘Z9’ designator code. But IATA formally notified the airline, on 17 January, that it was recalling the code with immediate effect because the company “no longer meets the qualifications” to retain it, and that it would be made available to other qualifying operators in 60 days’ time. Bek Air could secure reassignment of the code within this period if it proves itself eligible and settles any outstanding balances with IATA. The carrier is appealing the suspension which followed the 27 December accident at Almaty. Bek Air argues that the commission investigating the crash, which resulted in 12 fatalities, has yet to reach conclusions, and has been considering various possible scenarios including improper loading and balance, crew handling errors, technical failure, and the effect of weather conditions – including icing. As a result, it states, the decision by Kazakh civil aviation regulators on 27 December to suspend the airline’s certificate, until further notice, is “premature”. It says the decision “cannot be recognised as reasonable and legal”, adding that the communication on the suspension gives “no explanation” for it. This failure to indicate the specific breaches by the operator that justify the suspension amount to a “gross violation” of the procedure for carrying out the sanction, the airline states, and therefore the suspension itself is “illegal and must be cancelled”.

Source: Cirium

Airbus has secured type certification for the A350-900 from Russian authorities, ahead of the delivery of the type to flag-carrier Aeroflot. Russian air transport regulator Rosaviatsia’s official documentation shows the type certificate was drawn up on 13 December. Airbus says the approval is an “important step” and has been granted following “extensive collaboration” between the airframer and the Russian agency. Aeroflot has 14 A350-900s on order, after it trimmed eight -800s from its original agreement for 22 A350s. The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Rosaviatsia’s type certificate only covers the -900 variant. No other Russian operator has direct orders for the A350. Aeroflot’s initial aircraft is to be delivered with a revised livery, which replaces the silver fuselage with white and features bolder titles for the carrier. It also enlarges the Russian flag design on the vertical fin.

Source: Cirium

A committee established by the US Department of Transportation has determined that the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing properly followed FAA processes when approving the 737 Max. In a report released 16 January, the committee also throws support behind the FAA’s controversial Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA), under which the FAA delegates certification work to manufacturers. But the report also urges the FAA to make significant improvements. It recommends the FAA require aerospace manufacturers have formal risk-mitigation plans known as safety management systems (SMS). The report also calls for the agency to better account for pilot performance and pilot-system interactions, and to better review how updates to old aircraft designs affect safety. “The committee found the FAA’s overall certification system to be effective,” says the 67-page report. “It also concluded that reforms must be adopted to help our extremely safe aviation system become even better at identifying and mitigating risk.” Investigators determined a series of factors involving Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration, a parts supplier, Lion Air and pilots, led to the deadly crash of Lion Air flight 610. Democrat Peter DeFazio, chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, says he will consider the recommendations as lawmakers mull possible certification-related legislation. He also pledges to address perceived problems with the ODA programme. “It would be the height of irresponsibility to leave the ODA system as is and just hope for the best the next time,” DeFazio says in a statement. “Not addressing the failures head-on would be a grave mistake and that will not happen on my watch.” But Republicans read the report differently, saying it “clearly dispels the narrative that our aviation certification system is broken and must be completely rebuilt”. FAA administrator Steve Dickson says in a statement, “We welcome and appreciate the special committee’s recommendations”. “I was pleased to see that the committee recommended we advance the use of safety management systems throughout all sectors of the aviation industry,” Dickson adds. “The agency will carefully consider the committee’s work, along with the recommendations identified in various investigative reports and other analyses, as we take steps to enhance our aircraft certification processes.” Following two 737 Max crashes, the DOT established the investigatory committee for the purpose of independently reviewing the FAA’s Max certification and its broader certification processes. The five-member panel was led by co-chairs Lee Moak, former Air Line Pilots Association president, and retired US Air Force general Darren McDew, who formerly headed the military’s US Transportation Command. During its investigation, the committee interviewed FAA staff from the agency’s Boeing Aviation Safety Oversight Office, which certificated the Max. It also “met with an array of aviation and safety management specialists” and industry representatives, says the DOT.

Source: Cirium